Bengaluru: HAL CMD T. Suvarna Raju flew the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas from the HAL Airport on Wednesday. The twin-seat variant of LCA (PV5) was piloted by Group Captain K.K. Venugopal, HAL’s Chief Test Pilot.
In a thrilling set of manoeuvres, the aircraft climbed to 30,000 feet and accelerated to supersonic speed of 1.1 Mach. This was followed by a simulated launch of Beyond Visual Range missile on a target of opportunity, said Mr Raju after the sortie. “It is a wonderful flying machine, capable of being the backbone of IAF combat power in the years to come,” he said.
The pilot demonstrated the prowess of the aircraft to attack targets on ground. An attack on the ground target was carried out by a simulated laser guided bomb. The demonstration of manoeuvring capability of the aircraft in close combat situations is a unique experience to even veteran pilots. The landing was carried out simulating low visibility conditions using the ‘automatic approach’ mode of the aircraft.
To ensure the speedy deliveries of LCAs, HAL has ramped up the production to meet the requirement of IAF in association with other industrial partners. HAL is in talks with IAF for the production of 83 more LCAs with upgraded capabilities known as Tejas Mk 1A.
Mr Raju said that as one of the biggest aircraft production houses in Asia, HAL is committed to improve its products to meet the national security requirements.
